Teenager goes into custody after attack on Parkgate pensioner Alan Corney who died from his injuries

A CRAZED teenager who headbutted a Parkgate pensioner and then stood laughing as his victim fell into a road was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institute after he admitted assaul occasioning GBH.

A CRAZED teenager who headbutted a Parkgate pensioner and then stood laughing as his victim fell into a road was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institute after he admitted assaul occasioning GBH.

James Crawford, 18, who was drunk at the time, was described as ‘out of control’, ‘sick’ and ‘mad’ at Warrington Crown Court.

The court heard about his vicious attack on retired antiques dealer Alan Corney, 67, who would later collapse at home and die in hospital in February of this year.

Judge Stephen Clarke was told that Crawford and another youth were outside Alan and Norma Corney’s home on The Parade, Parkgate, at about 8.30pm on Friday, November 14.

Duncan Bould, prosecuting, said: "The language they were using and their behaviour was described by Mrs Corney as ‘disgusting’ and she felt intimidated and vulnerable.

"Alan Corney approached them and asked them to keep their language down and took hold of the defendant by his clothing.

"Although causing no real threat the defendant went ‘sick’ at Mr Corney, he went mad, jumped in to the air and crashed down on to his face with his head."

The court then heard how Crawford, who was living at the time in a hostel at Claypit Lane, Wrexham, ‘jumped around excitedly and laughed’ before running away.

Mr Corney, who walked with a limp and had a paralysed arm after two strokes, suffered a broken cheek bone and developed a blood clot on the brain after being headbutted.

He collapsed at home and died weeks later in hospital after brain surgery which left him in a coma.

Sentencing Crawford to 18 months, less the five months he has already served, Judge Clarke said: "It has an all-too-familiar ring at what is happening time and time again in our villages, towns and cities.

"People act without any thought about the consequences of what they are doing and show the merest respect to other human beings.

"Courts can only do so much, the real problems lie in our society which has lost respect for each other.

"You were aware of what you were doing and aware of who you were doing it to, an elderly gentleman old enough to be your grandfather, and I hope you are ashamed."